24 Dec 2010

Fiji spared bus and taxi fare hikes

11:18 am on 24 December 2010

Fiji's Ministry of Works, Public Utilities and Transport has announced that there will be no increase in bus and taxi fares despite many industry operators pushing for the move.

Fiji Village online reports the Permanent Secretary, Cama Tuiloma, as confirming that the decision is based on the fact that Value Added Tax is refundable.

He says the notion or argument that with the increase in VAT, there should be a corresponding increase in fares for buses and taxis, is wrong.

The decision was reached after consultations held between the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office Col Pio Tikoduadua, Permanent Secretary Strategic Planning Peter Wise and officials from the Ministry of Finance.